Town of Warwick
Selectboard
November 21,
2016
Minutes
Members present: Dawn Magi, Lawrence Pruyne
Member via Remote Participation: James Erviti
Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary and Town
Clerk Rosa Fratangelo, Buildings and Energy Committee member Janice
Kurkoski, Broadband Committee members Tom Wyatt and Scott Seago, Finance
Committee member Steve Ruggiero, Jon Calcari
I. Call to Order
Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall.
II. Minutes
Pruyne MOVED to approve the minutes of November 7, 2016 as printed.
Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti
- AYE.
III.Presentations and Discussions
1. Green Communities and Energy Update --Young thanked Buildings and
Energy Committee member Janice Kurkoski for taking the lead on the
report on the Green Communities grant which is due by December 2nd to
the Department of Environmental Resources (DOER). Kurkoski explained
that the seventeen-tab spreadsheet constitutes the report that is due
annually to DOER. She said that since 2014 $88,000.00 of the Green
Communities grant money has been spent, mostly on weatherization of all
Town buildings and the heat pump in the Police station.
Kurkoski said that Warwick had agreed to reduce out town-wide energy
use by 20% in five years, beginning in 2013. She said that since 2013
energy use is down by 21.5% in the municipal buildings, noting an
overall reduction in energy usage of 45% since 2007. Kurkoski pointed
out that vehicle fuel usage is figured in as well, so the energy usage
in buildings needs to be further reduced to offset this. Ways to reduce
fuel consumption in Town vehicles was briefly discussed, including the
suggestions to consolidate trips taken in the vehicles, eliminate
idling, having items delivered rather than driving to pick them up, and
possible use of more private contractors for plowing snow.
Kurkoski said that one home has been built since the Town adopted the
Stretch Code in 2014, and noted that there are less complaints from
contractors about the code as they become more used to working with its
requirements. She also pointed out that residential use of solar systems
has increased to about 10% of all households. Kurkoski concluded by
saying that installing air source heat pumps for the four Town Hall
offices and the Highway office are the next step towards further
reducing energy usage. This will be paid for with remaining grant funds.
Pruyne MOVED to accept the Green Communities Report given by Janice
Kurkoski and to authorize the Board Chair to sign the document. Magi
SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE.
2. Warwick Net Meter Host--Young showed the Board photos of the solar
project in West Brookfield that is under construction but expected to
meet the completion deadline of January 1, 2017. He said that in
February of 2017 we will be getting a 22% discount on our electric bills
because WCS and municipal buildings are contracted under a net meter
credit purchasing agreement for 78 cents on the dollar.
3. Broadband--Young said that the Selectboard has yet to vote their
approval of the employment of Jason Cook for Warwick Broadband. He said
that Cook has been a valuable asset in documenting the network.
Pruyne MOVED to accept the employment of Jason Cook for Warwick
Broadband at the starting pay rate of $16.00 per hour Erviti SECONDED.
Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE.
4. Broadband Committee-- Tom Wyatt said that the committee met last
week to discuss its role going forward. He said that the primary role
had been focusing on research of internet service options but since that
is not a current priority the committee needs to figure out in what
direction to go next. Wyatt suggested advising the Selectboard on policy
issues such as pricing tiers, low income pricing and out of town
subscribers. He also suggested assisting with communication with
subscribers if the system goes down. Wyatt said that Young had brought
up cell service as a possible priority for the Broadband Committee. He
noted that with the current upgrade and the installation of more poles
that could be used for cell service it seems timely to look into this.
Wyatt asked the Board to what extent, if any, they want the committee
to monitor the Broadband staff. Erviti said that at a minimum, he wanted
quarterly financial reports for Warwick Broadband. Magi said that cell
phone coverage is important and she would like the Broadband Committee
to pursue possible options.
Young said that a special permit or variance needs to be granted by
the ZBA for all poles higher than 60 feet, which would be required for
cell service. Young and Scott Seago concurred that higher poles would
benefit broadband by clearing the tree line and allowing for better
signal.
Pruyne said that a former Broadband Committee member suggested to him
that a halftime managerial position be created to take over some of
Young's broadband responsibilities and allow him more time for his Town
Coordinator position. Young said that they won't find one person who can
do what he, Jason Cook, David Koester, John Bradford and Ray Lemek do
now, especially at their collective current pay rates. Finance Committee
member Steve Ruggiero suggested putting something in the newsletter for
those with internet experience as a way to gauge interest and
qualifications. Wyatt said that he had put something in for the next
newsletter inviting people to attend the December 12th Broadband
Committee meeting as the topic will be cell service.
5. Broadband Financial Update -- Young explained in great detail the
financial reports for Warwick Broadband. He covered both expenses and
income. Young said that to date $83,096.09 has been spent on parts and
labor for the upgrade. Accrued income was $39,989.45, actual expense
totaled $25,560.55 and net income was $13,989.45. Because all figures
were not calculated to the same date, Erviti said that a date had to be
picked and a full report given up to that date for all expenses and
income; Young concurred.
6. Report on Grants--Young said that he applied for a grant from MIAA
for Police Department dash cams and body cams as well as an equipment
maintenance survey. He said that he has not yet heard, although a
decision was expected by November 18th. The Town received a $3,000.00
grant from the DEP to create a recycling shed for products containing
mercury. Young said he will meet with the Transfer Station
Commissioners. Warwick also received a Cultural Council grant of
$4,400.00.
7. Selectboard Reports-- There were no reports given this meeting.
8. Coordinator Report--Young said that the Planning Board has submitted
a draft of recommendations on hazard trees, which will be on the next
agenda. He said that former Tree Warden Sharon Matthews is interested in
filling the current vacancy.
Magi asked about taking action on abandoned properties. Young noted
that FRCOG has environmental site remediation funding for clean-up of
such properties, and said that he needs to confer with the Treasurer to
establish how long taxes must be in arrears before commencing to
foreclose, as all properties must be treated equally.
9. Public Comment--None.
10. New and Other Business Unanticipated at Time of Meeting Posting
--Pruyne asked Erviti for an update on his recovery. Erviti said that he
does not know when he will be able to attend meetings in person again,
and that he has been told that it will take one year for him to return
to his pre-accident condition.
IV.Adjournment
At 7:32 p.m., Pruyne MOVED to adjourn. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED
3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE.
Documents consulted at this meeting:
*Draft Minutes of Selectboard meeting of November 7, 2016
*Coordinator Report dated November 17, 2016
*Coordinator Report on Broadband
*Photos of solar project in West Brookfield, MA
*Sub Account History by Month: Town of Warwick Broadband dated November
14, 2016
*Income Statement for Warwick Broadband from 7/1/16 to 10/31/16
*Town of Warwick FY 2017 Other Funds Expense Report dated November 11,
2016
*Town of Warwick FY 2017 Other Funds Revenue Report dated November 14,
2016
*Sub Account Expense Detail for Broadband Expenses dated November 2,
2016
*Sub Account History by Month (revenue) Town of Warwick FY 2017 dated
November 9, 2016
*Letter to Sharon Matthews from David Young Re: Tree Warden vacancy
*Emails between Henry H. Williams III and David Young, dated November
16, 2016 and
November 17, 2016 Re: free cash